Last updated on July 21st, 2022 at 02:31 pm

Flu comes on quick, so it’s important to be proactive toward reducing your chances of infection. A healthy lifestyle can foster a strong immune system, which is essential to fighting off germs.

Here are a few things you can do for your body so that it’s strong and healthy during peak flu season this winter.

• Exercise to preserve and support a healthy immune system that is capable of fighting off viruses. Studies from the Department of Public Health at the University of Helsinki show that incorporating moderate amounts of exercise into your routine increases your body’s immune system function. (Take care not to exceed your body’s limits which could cause physical and psychological stress, and talk with your doctor before starting any new exercise routine.)
• Get enough sleep to keep your body’s defense strong against illnesses. Be aware of how much sleep you are getting each night to keep your body well rested. Different age groups require varied hours of sleep each day. According to WebMD, adults need 7 to 8 hours of sleep, and teens require even more, about 9 hours daily. Growing children need 10 to 12 hours of sleep a night.
• Limit stress to maintain a healthy immune system. A relaxation technique recommended by Ken Redcross, board-certified internal medicine physician, is simple, yet effective – breathing. Take a quiet minute to focus on your breathing each day. It can be a great way to de-stress at work or before bed. The act of consciously breathing relaxes the mind and lowers stress hormones that weaken the immune system.
• Take probiotics to restore balance to the gut microbiome, which supports overall immune function. Nearly 70 percent of immune tissue resides in the GI tract. Therefore, it’s important to maintain optimal gut health with good, live bacteria. You can take probiotic supplements or eat fermented foods like sauerkraut and yogurt, which are naturally high in live cultures.

If you do come down with flu, make sure you’re prepared at home with a medicine cabinet that includes Boiron’s Oscillococcinum. Oscillococcinum relieves flu-like symptoms such as body aches, headache, fever, chills, and fatigue.* The quick-dissolving pellets nip flu-like symptoms in the bud when taken the moment you start to feel achy or run down. Clinical studies show that Oscillococcinum reduces the duration and severity of flu-like symptoms and has no known drug interactions. This medicine is widely available in local supermarkets or pharmacies in 6, 12, or 30 single-dose boxes for everyone age 2 and up.

For more information on staying healthy during the flu season, visit Oscillo.com/wellness.

*These “Uses” have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.